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quicksketch

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quicksketch

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March 9th, 2016 16:00

TB15 Dock Linux Support

Today I received the new TB15 dock. I'm disappointed to find it doesn't work on Linux, unlike the WD15, with which some Linux users have had some success.


My experience thus far:

- XPS 15 9550. Windows edition wiped with only Ubuntu installed.

- Ubuntu 15.10, Kernel 4.3.3

- Connecting the dock *does* charge the computer (yay!) but when restarting, BIOS gives a warning saying it's only charging at 60W instead of the recommended 130W. I have the 230W power brick attached to the dock, so I'm not sure if that message is accurate.

- Unfortunately, other than charging, the dock doesn't seem to do anything. No USB replication, headphones, ethernet, or any of the monitor ports work. Indeed, nothing is seen by the system at all. I'm a bit surprised as I expected firmware level support for the dock, such that at least the USB ports would work within even BIOS screens.

- Other USB-C adapters I've had great luck with: VGA, DisplayPort, and Ethernet dongles all work flawlessly.

- The one function that does work is the power button on the top of the dock. Pushing this button prompts Ubuntu to Sleep/Restart/Shutdown, as though I'd pressed the power key on the laptop.

What has been others' experiences with this dock and Linux?

UPDATE (July 26, 2016): Multiple users (including myself) have confirmed that the TB15 dock is now *mostly* working in Linux, including display ports, USB, and ethernet (with caveats). The key change seems to be upgrading the BIOS using "Dell XPS 15 9550 A10 System BIOS". For more info see this comment: http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/os-applications/f/4613/p/19678284/20922879#20922879

  • gregbunk

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 13:00

    I don't think it's that simple.  As I understand it, TB is basically PCI hotplug, and all the hard stuff is handled by the TB firmware.  Which is obviously broken and which the Linux folks can't fix.

    I'd be perfectly happy if we could just lock the TB3 port into USB C mode and be done with it, but I don't have a dock.

    And that would probably require a TB firmware update which would require windows and around and around we go.

  • yeehaa

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 13:00

    Also, let's be frank. We are talking about releasing a driver and an installer for a well-documented industry standard (USB Type-C) here. Hardly rocket science or a job worth months of R&D as it's presented to us here.

    If Dell is unwilling to invest the ample resources to help their loyal and incredibly patient linux customer base, then at least release the necessary documentations (etc.), so that the OS community can pick it up!

  • DELL-Jared D

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 13:00

    @cloojure if you can put together a guide, I'm happy to put it in a wiki article here.

  • gregbunk

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 13:00

    This is fine.  For the dock.

    But what about the TB port for other purposes?  I still fails after a resume, and there is still no way to update the firmware from Linux - and this for a machine sold without Windows.

  • yeehaa

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 13:00

    I'm very annoyed by this post. At the time of purchase, linux was listed as supported on the Dell website. After asking for confirmation, Dell did affirm that it would be fully functional in the future.

    The fact that Justin is unwilling to spare a couple of seconds of his time to discuss these issues with us, are indicative of the way Dell treats its customers.

    Very disappointing...

  • cloojure

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 13:00

    I have the D3100 in use with a 2014 Dell XPS13 (9333) that is working great with Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS (previously 15.10).  I have described the setup & results in other posts on this forum if you would like to see more details.

  • elvismdev

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 13:00

    This is fine.  For the dock.

    But what about the TB port for other purposes?  I still fails after a resume, and there is still no way to update the firmware from Linux - and this for a machine sold without Windows.

    Same issue for me here, I purchased the XPS 9315 Developer Edition, and there after the TB15 in wich I have the same problems as many described here. However, I'm unable to update the TB15 firmware from Ubuntu Linux to try if some of this problems disappear after that.

    So the solution is to purchase another XPS with Windows just to update the TB15 firmware? Nah no way I'm going to spend another extra $1000+ dollars for that. Unless Dell allows me to return the laptop after that? BTW Dell could have some for rent just to do a quick TB15 firmware update? xD Sorry but this is hilarious and makes me laungh...

    Are there any upcoming chances that we Linux users can update the TB15 from our Developer Editions laptops?

  • yeehaa

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 14:00

    My apologies Jared, if I underestimated the engineering efforts involved. But I was reacting to Justin's blunt email in particular. He seems to claim that we as linux users aren't entitled to any form of support since we chose to purchase a Windows only product. This is factually false. When we bought the dock, linux was explicitly mentioned as supported. The only reason, I have been patient so long is because you and the other engineers in this forum gave us the impression that Dell was actively working on this issue.

    Justin's now claims that there are no guarantees that this is ever going to work and that he's not willing to further discuss this. I don't think this is an appropriate response given the history. Dell should take the accountability of this debacle and come with a concrete proposal for us linux users. This should either entail a clear commitment to get the tb15 to work in an easy well documented matter (without using a Windows machine) or a generous recall program.

  • DELL-Jared D

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 14:00

    That's what I mean, I don't know the exact details about the drivers, but (as a developer) I know for a fact that releasing an installer that allows us to update the firmware from our linux machines should be easy. A days work at most...

    Unfortunately it's much more complex than that. These docks contain several different components with upgradeable firmware, not all of which Dell controls the interfaces for (the Alpine Ridge controller on the docks being a prime example). Those that we don't control need to work via custom interfaces with multiple outside driver dependencies coming from multiple hardware vendors.

  • gregbunk

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    Posted August 25th, 2016 14:00

    OK, so how about fixing the TB3 port, dock support aside.